Jason Isbell
Foxes In The Snow
Southeastern Records [2025]
“Jason Isbell strips it all down on Foxes in the Snow, a stark reminder of why he remains one of the best songwriters of his generation.”
Album Overview: Jason Isbell has built a career as one of the most respected singer-songwriters of his generation. He first gained recognition with Southeastern in 2013, solidifying his place in modern Americana with deeply personal songwriting and a gift for crafting unforgettable narratives. Before his solo breakthrough, he was a key member of Drive-By Truckers, contributing to some of their most celebrated work. Foxes in the Snow strips everything down to its barest essence, featuring just Isbell and his aged, all-mahogany 1940 Martin 0-17 acoustic guitar. Recorded in five days at Electric Lady Studios, the album showcases his raw talent in its purest form. Without a band or elaborate production, every song puts full focus on his songwriting, voice, and musicianship, offering a more intimate experience than his work with The 400 Unit. Following Weathervanes, this album feels like a personal, unfiltered statement from an artist still pushing himself creatively.
Musical Style: This album leans fully into minimalist folk, built entirely around a single acoustic guitar. The sparse production makes it feel more like a private performance than a polished studio album. Fingerpicked melodies, intimate vocals, and stripped-down storytelling evoke the raw spirit of traditional folk and country-blues.
Evolution of Sound: Isbell has spent years expanding his sound, from his Southern rock roots with Drive-By Truckers to the layered, bigger production of Reunions and Weathervanes. Foxes in the Snow takes the opposite approach, removing all excess and presenting his work in its most exposed form. While it recalls the stripped-down nature of Southeastern, this record goes even further, feeling less like a grand artistic statement and more like a personal letter.
Artists with Similar Fire: John Prine has a similar plainspoken wisdom and wry humor, while those drawn to the stark beauty of Nick Drake’s Pink Moon will find a similar haunting atmosphere here. The confessional songwriting echoes early Joni Mitchell, and the raw intimacy recalls Townes Van Zandt at his most unguarded.
Pivotal Tracks: “Bury Me,” the lead off track, sets the album’s unfiltered tone, centering on love, loss, and the passage of time. “Eileen” is a devastating heartbreaker, while “Gravelweed” is a stark meditation on isolation and the slow realization that a relationship is beyond saving. The latter captures the moment when divorce becomes inevitable—despite his wife’s denial of his sorrow. Many of Foxes in the Snow‘s tracks cut deep, balancing deeply personal reflections with vivid character-driven storytelling, all anchored by Isbell’s masterful guitar work.
Lyrical Strength: Isbell’s greatest strength has always been his ability to craft emotionally honest, visually rich songwriting. With no studio embellishments to soften the impact, this album puts his words front and center. Every lyric carries extra weight, making the stories feel even more personal and immediate.
Final Groove: Foxes in the Snow is another testament to Isbell’s skill as a songwriter, proving that he doesn’t need a full band or intricate production to make an impact. The album’s stripped-down approach highlights his raw talent but also makes for a heavier, more introspective listen. While undeniably powerful, the deeply personal nature of the material may not lend itself to frequent replay in the way some of his past records have. Still, for those willing to sit with its weight, this album is a masterclass in unfiltered storytelling, showcasing an artist who continues to evolve—even by paring things back to their core.
JASON ISBELL REVIEW HISTORY
Weathervanes (2023) / Reunions (2020) / Live From The Ryman (2018) / The Nashville Sound (2017) / Something More Than Free (2015) / Southeastern (2013) / Live In Alabama (2012) / Here We Rest (2011) / Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit (2009) / Sirens Of The Ditch (2007)
JASON ISBELL LINKS
Official Website | Bandcamp
- Jason Isbell: Foxes In The Snow [Album Review] - March 13, 2025
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